Example – Improving access to mental wellbeing support for rural communities in Somerset
About this opportunity
The opportunity:
We are exploring how local organisations can help improve access to mental wellbeing support in rural Somerset, particularly for people who may feel isolated or underserved.
Why now, and why Somerset?:
We are seeing increasing demand for mental health support, particularly in rural areas where services can be harder to access. Somerset has a strong community network, and we believe there is an opportunity to build on this to improve support and reduce isolation.
What we hope to learn, understand, or achieve:
We want to better understand the barriers people face in accessing support and identify practical ways to make services more visible, accessible and culturally appropriate across rural communities.
Ways to get involved:
What organisations might gain from being involved:
– Opportunity to influence how services are designed
– Stronger connections with other local organisations
– Shared learning and insight
– Potential to shape future funding and support opportunities
Introduction to the project lead
Name:
Stuart White
Organisation:
Somerset Community Wellbeing Partnership
We are a partnership of local organisations working together to improve wellbeing across Somerset. Our focus is on reducing inequalities and improving access to support, particularly for rural and hard-to-reach communities.
What involvement might look like
What we are asking organisations to do:
– Share insight into local needs and challenges
– Participate in workshops or discussions
– Help shape outreach and engagement methods
How much time is likely to be involved:
This could involve attending one or two workshops (1–2 hours each), plus optional follow-up discussions.
How we are making it easy to be involved:
Flexible meeting times, hybrid/online participation options, clear information beforehand, and support with travel or time where possible.
What can be shaped and what is fixed:
The focus on improving access to wellbeing support is fixed. However, how we approach engagement, who we prioritise, and the methods we use are open to being shaped collaboratively.
Delivery timeframes:
Initial engagement is planned over the next 3 months, with flexibility depending on availability of participants.